Awards and Recognitions

Hallmarks of Success

We strive to maintain a professional theatre environment while keeping education a priority that is focused on the individual needs of each and every student.

Academic Distinction

Artistic Excellence

Acclaimed Teaching

Student Satisfaction

Professional Theatre Partnerships

Community Engagement

Graduate Success

Teaching Excellence Award

In 2009, Parkside's Theatre Arts Department was awarded the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents' "Teaching Excellence Award for Outstanding Academic Program." We are the only fine arts department in the state to ever win this award. In the area of artistic quality, our theatrical productions have received over 100 "Regional Awards of Merit" from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Take a look at some of our past productions, and see for yourself!

KCACTF Awards

UW-Parkside is very active in the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival, Region 3 (the nation's largest).

We regularly accrue a significant number of Merit Awards (in Design, Direction, and Tech) as well as Acting Awards, including what we consider to be the highest accolade, The Ensemble Acting Award. At festival, our students compete and succeed. See for yourself below!

Parkside's production ofReasons to be Pretty was one of only seven, out of 30 entries, invited to perform in front of an audience of over 500 at the festival.

The Company as a whole won the prestigious Golden Hand Truck Award for best load-in (set up) and load-out (tear down) of the scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound among all invited productions.

Several students also competed and earned recognition in other areas of the festival:

- Tayler Varney (JR) - Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Award forInto the Woods costume design and construction. She received a one-week paid intensive workshop at the professional training institute in Las Vegas. She also received a Merit Award for Excellence in Scenic Design forIt's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

- Zachary Cooper (SR) - John Cauble Short Play National Semi-Finalist for his original work,The Fast Nickel.